April Is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is nationally recognized as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.” This month is really important because sexual assault is a growing epidemic, especially on our college campuses. According to RAINN, every 73 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted. 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime and about 1 in 33 American men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Another shocking statistic is an average of 60,000 children are victims of “substantiated or indicated” sexual abuse each year.

In order to bring awareness this month, Help-in-Crisis is encouraging everyone to have those difficult conversations about sexual assault and how they can support a survivor who is close to them. Help-in-Crisis would also like the community to know they are still here for all survivors during this time of COVID-19. All advocates are currently working from home, but are still taking calls and responding to the hospital for SANE exams. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault and would like to speak to someone, please call Help-in-Crisis at 1-800-300-5321. There is an advocate available to you 24/7 at this hotline number.

If you would still like to participate in bringing awareness during this month, you can check out Help-in-Crisis’s Facebook or Instagram page and share their posts related to Sexual Assault Awareness Month.